Electric signal switch



April 22, 1930. J. o. CADIEUX ELECTRIC SIGNAL SWITCH Filed May 22, 1928 I Patented I Apr. 22, 1 930 1 U ED STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

Josnrn o. cnpmux, on minimum, connncmcu'r, ASSIGNOR, BY mnsnn ASSIGN- mmrrs, r CONNECTICUT 'rnnnrnonn & ELECTRIC conronnrxon, or mnnmnn, 'connncrrcu'r, A CORPORATION or DELAW RE.-

morale SIGNAL SWITCH Application filed May 22,

My invention relates to improvements" in devices of the character set forth in'myformer Patents 1,47 3,591 and 1,563,721. I

The main object of my present invention is to improve the mechanical construction of anchor the flexible cable usually employed with such devices.

Another object is to facilitate the release of the locking mechanism.

Another object is to facilitate inspection and repair with a minimum interference with the electrical connections. I a

The accompanying drawin shows one form of the device embodying Improvements of my inventions. Fig. 1 is a side yiew of the device of the push button type with a release spring and showing in dotted lines part of the conductor clamp.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the plane of the line 2-2 of'Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side'view with the casing removed, this view being taken on the planeatri%ht angles tothat of Fig. 1. ig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the plane of the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5is a side view and partial section of the switch mechanism on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 6 is an end figure of the stationary parts of the switch mechanism.

- Fig. 7 is aperspectlve vlew showing parts of the frame and cable clamp.

- Thedevice consists of an outer casing with an inner frame which supports the switch mechanism and serves to hold the end of the cable or conductor.- The casing consists of a tubular member 10 and an end piece 11.

' The latter has a flange 12 which fits inside the end of the tubular body part and is held in place by one or more screws 13 which pass through into lugs 14 which constitute a part of the frame. The other end of the casing has a assage for the cable 15. This cable is pre erably provided with a water-proof 1928. Serial No. 279,656.

covering and contains suflicient conductors for the various circuits intended to be controlled by the switch. The frame is provided "18 of the frame which side bars may be integral with the bars 19 or-separate as illustrated. When they are made separate they may be connected together by screws, such as,20. .The other ends of the bars 19 may be integrallyconnected to the end plate 21 which also carries the lugs 14 and is provided with a central passage 22 for the push button 23. It will thus be seen that the pull on the cable is directly transmitted to the casing through the frame and the end piece 11 to which the plate 21 is suitably secured.

The insulating block 25 carries the central guiding contact pin 26 which has a bindin screw or other suitable circuit terminal 2% at the rear end. A yoke 28 is secured to this block or body 25 and has longitudinally extending arms which interlock with the side bars 19 of the main frame. A part of this interlock may be formed of projections 29 and holes 30 and in part by the screws 20 which pass through the bars 18 and 19 into the threaded seats 31. The conductor ring 32 is seated in a recess inthefront end of the block 25 and a terminal 33 for one ofthe extension 36. The base of the extension is.

provided with a spring contact or contacts 37 which project inwardly in line with the end of the pin 26. A helical spring 38 is interposed between the insulating block 25 and sliding insulating member 35, one end of it being in electrical contact with the ring 32 and other end in electrical contact with the spring contact 37 so that the circuit from the contact 26 to the ring 32 is comf pletedthrough the spring 38 when the con tact 37 engages the contact 26.

- The spring fingers 40 an 41 have their stationary portions secured to the frame but insulated from it' and independent of the insulating block 25. For this purpose the side bars 19 are provided with lateral extensions or wings, such as, 42 and 43, towhich the spring fingers are secured by rivets 44, although they are insulated by the interposed strips. of insulation 45 and 46. The movable tips-47 and 48 of the spring fingers are bevelled to facilitate their engagement with the conducting ring 49. which constitutes the movable switch member and carried by the insulating slide 35. a

The push button 23 is preferably formed 7 of metal so as to be as durable as possible.

The inner end is secured to the-slide 35 so. that theswitch member may be pushed in wardly by pressing on the button '23.. This push button plunger is provided with a camlike catch member 50 having an abrupt 'shoul der 51. A sliding plate 52 has ends .53 and 54 guided in the side bars 19 of the frame. This latch plate is held'in its normal position a by the pressure of the bowed spring 55 which presses against one edge of the plate and has. its outer ends supported within the flange 12 of the casing.

The spring 38 normally presses the switch member 35 against the latch plate in which position all of the circuits are open. When the push'button is pressed inward the cam shoulder 50 forces the latch plate 52 to slide and compress the spring 55 until the cam member 50 passes through theopening 56 whereupon the spring 55 snaps the latch slide behind the shoulder 51 and holds the parts in position with the contact'fingers-47 and 48 resting on'the contact ring 49.- When the push button is pushed in st ll further the con tacts 37 engage the pin 26 soas to provide a supplemental signal. Preferablv when this signal occurs the fingers 47' and 48 are liftedaway from the contact ring 49 by the action, of the insulating shoulder 57 of the slide 35. To retract the latch 52 from the sw tch member I provide a spring 60. one end of which is secured to the frame and a. part of which is bowedoutwardlv at 61 to substantially 'fill slot 62 in the casing just outside, the end 53 of the latch slide. Thetip 63 of this spring preferably extends under the edge of the casing so as to prevent the spring from being deformed. By pressing upon the bowed portion 61 of the spring the latch can be pushed inwardly so as to. disengage. it from the shoulder 51 and allow the spring 38 to move the switchv member'and open the circuit. All the foints of the casing and the openings for the cable 15, .push button 23 and latch release 6'1 are preferably as snug as possible consistent with the, manufacture. assembly and operation so as to keep out dirt, moisture andso forth.

According to the present invention it will be seen. that the center contact and movable part and switch mechanism may be entirely removed without disturbing the connections v to the spring contacts 40 and'41. If a center or buzzer contact, as it is sometimes called, is not required for a given installation, the ring 32 and its terminal 33 may be omitted. By forming the rear end of the frame and clamp 16 separate from the rest of the frame, it is easier to assemble the parts and to wire the device.

I claim:

1. A. signal switch comprising a frame havinga front plate and side'ba'rs,-an insulating body supportedby said side bars and having a center contact pin, contact fingers carried by said frame independently of said body, an operator guided in said front plate and a spring-pressed contact member movable thereby and "co-acting with said contact fingersand with said guide pin.

. 2. A signal switch-comprising a frame having a front plate ahd side bars, an insulating body having a yoke supported by said side bars and having'a center contact pin, contact fingers "carried by said frame but insulated therefrom, a push button guided in said front plate and a spring-pressed contact member movable by said push button and co-acting with said contact fingers and with said guide pin and removable independently of said contact fingers. g Q

3; A signal switch comprising a frame having a front plate andside bars, an insulating body detachably supported bysaid s1de bars and having a center contact pinand a side contact, contact fingers carried by said frame but insulated therefrom, a push button guided in said front plate and a slide member carried by said "push button, said slide member having a switch member co-acting with said contact fingers and a contact co-actingwith said contact pin and a spring between said slide and its contact at one end and apart of the side contact on the end of the insula'tingbody at the other end.

4. A signal switch comprising a frame con-" sisting of a front plate and sidebars said side bars 'each having laterally disposed wings, contact-fingers supported by but insulated fromsaid .wings and a reciprocating switch member mounted to travel between said fingersand supported by said frame.

5. A signal switch comprising a frame consisting of a front plate and side bars said side bars-having laterally disposed wings, contact fingers supported by but insulated from said wings, an insulating body removable independently of the fingers, a -reciprocating switch member .mounted to travel between Said fingers and a guide pin for said switch member carried by said insulating body.

6; A gignal switch comprising a frame consistingof a front plate and side bars, said s1de bars having laterally disposed wings, contact fingers supported by but insulated from said wings, a reciprocating swltch member mounted to travel between said fingers and a buzzer contact removably supported by said frame independently of said fingers.

7 A signal switch comprising a frame consisting of a front plate and side bars said side bars having laterally disposed wings, contact'fingers supported by but insulated from said wings, a reciprocating switch member mounted to travel between said fingers and a cord clamp carried by the frame and remov able independently of the contact fingers.

8. A signal switch com rising a'casing, a reciprocating switch mem er mounted therein, a transversely movable latch memberflcoacting with said switch member, a yielding 5 member having a part co-acting with said latch member for releasing the same, said casing having an'opening in one side through which a part of the release member is exposed for digital operation.

member having a portion accessible near one end of the casing for actuating the same.

14. A signal switch comprising a caslng having a tubular part and a detachable front piece, switch mechanism mounted therein mcluding as ring-pressed reciprocating member, a push utton protruding from the front piece of said casing for operating said switch I of the casing.

' JOSEPH O. CADIEUX.

9. A signal switch comprising a casing, a

reciprocating switch member mounted therein, a transversely movable latch member coacting with said switch member, a spring having a bevelled tip co-acting with said latch member for releasing the same, said casing having an opening in one side through which a part of the spring near its tip is exposed for digital operation. r v

10. A signal switch comprising a casing, a reciprocating switch member mounted therein, a transversely movable latch member coacting with said switch member, a spring urging said latch member in one direction, a 7

spring co-acting with said latch member for releasing the same, said casing having an opening in one side into which a part of the spring fits for digital operation.

11. A signal switch comprising a casing, switch mechanism mounted therein including a reciprocating member, a transversely movable latch co-acting with said member, a bowed spring extending cireumferentially of the casing for pressing the latch in one direction and a release spring having a portion accessible'in an opening in one side of the cas- 7 ing for actuating the same. .12. A signal switch comprising a casing, switch. mechanism mounted therein includ- 60 inga reciprocating member, a push button protruding from said casing for operating I said switch member, a transversely movable latch co-acting with said switch member, a bowed spring extending circumferentially of the casing for pressing the latch in one direction and a release member for actuating the f latch in the opposite direction. 13. A signal switch comprising a casing switch mechanism mounted therein includ-- ing a reciprocating member, a transversely movable latch co-acting with said switch member, a-bowed spring extending circumferentially in one side of the easingfor pressing the latch in one direction and a release 

